Recent Movies Watched posted 10-11-20

Been awhile since I last posted movies we have recently watched, as usual not in any particular order.....

Kinky Boots   We re-watched this - based on a true story about a family owned shoe company in England.  Struggling to stay afloat, Charlie (a straight laced fella) forms a very unusual working relationship with drag queen, Lola, to save his company.  Music and dance scenes are really great, ESPECIALLY the Milan Fashion week event. 👍👍👍👍

Murder by Death   1976 film written by Neil Simon.  Murder/Comedy with an all star cast..... to name just a few Maggie Smith, David Niven, Peter Falk, Truman Capote, James Coco, Elsa Lanchester..... 5 groups of paired detectives are invited to a "dinner and a murder" by the mysterious Lionel Twain (you think you know who it is, but.......)👍👍

All of Me   Starring Lily Tomlin and Steve Martin.  Edwina Cutwater - on her deathbed for "years" wants to have her soul transported to the beautiful Terry Haskins, Steve Martin portrays Roger, Edwina's attorney.  As things happen, Edwina falls out the window of Roger's office as she is dying and falls ON ROGER transporting her soul to him....  You never know what's going to happen.....👍👍👍👍

The Jerk   Steve Martin portrays a mixed up white guy brought up in a Black family......  This is Steve's first "starring" role in a major movie ---- Directed by Carl Reiner, written by Steve.👍👍👍

Reading Room   starring James Earl Jones, as a widower fulfilling his promise to his late wife to open a reading room in a neighborhood where reading is not necessarily the first thing folks think of.  Problems occur several times throughout the movie.  We watched this at a low time during the pandemic, it was a very uplifting movie, we both enjoyed this one greatly.👍👍👍👍👍

Band of Outsiders   1964 French film by Jean-Luc Godard.  One Jim purchased years ago.  Very bizarre film about a young woman who mistakenly tells a fellow student about all the money in the house she lives in.  He in turns tells his friend, and the two launch a plot to steal the money, they involve the young woman.   In Black and White, which was probably better than had it been filmed in color.  If you can't find it, don't worry about it👎

An Affair to Remember  Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr star in possibly one of the most romantic films of all times.  It inspired Jonah (Sleepless in Seattle) to have his widower father (Tom Hanks) to meet the woman (Meg Ryan) he wants his dad to marry on top of the Empire State Building on Valentine's Day.  In one scene in "Sleepless..", Rita Wilson's character makes mention of "An Affair to Remember"....👍👍👍👍👍👍

A Special Day   1977 Italian film directed by Edoardo Ponti, Sophia Loren's son.  Considered by many to be the finest performances by Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni of their film careers.  Set on the historic day in 1938 when Mussolini welcomes Hitler to Rome, and the citizens of Rome are all expected to turn out to welcome Hitler...  With actual film footage of Hitler, Mussolini, and various other Nazi officials arriving by train in Rome. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

Star Wars The Rise of Skywalker   supposedly the conclusion of the Star Wars films.  Pheww, glad it's over👍👍

Fruitvale Station   Long before George Floyd, there was Oscar Grant (Michael B. Jordan).  Events leading up to Oscar's death on the final day of his life  New Year's Day 2009, the actual events begin on New Year's Eve 2008.  Powerful story of how things can go very wrong, simply by being a person of color and being at the wrong place at the wrong time.  Why?👍👍👍👍👍👍

Like Crazy    2016 Italian comedy/drama, which won several foreign film awards.  Two women, from entirely different backgrounds, and different mental health issues, form an unlikely relationship while being patients at a mental institution.  Although the story is highly unusual, and often times bizarre, it also had moments of great depth of love and warmth.  The performances by the two actresses were absolutely spot on, and worthy of time spent watching.👍👍👍👍👍

That's it for now.  Hope you will find something here you might enjoy.  

Have you no sense of Decency, Mitch McConnell?

 

Mitch McConnell, to paraphrase Joe Nye Welch, HAVE YOU NO SENSE OF DECENCY?  

Your behavior of late would indicate that NO, YOU DON'T!

And to top it off, if what I just researched about you, you list being a BAPTIST!  My parents must be rolling in their graves, as they were both BAPTISTS, and REPUBLICANS!  I am thankful every day that they have met their Maker already.

When the time comes for you to meet your Maker, how will you answer Him when He inquires "why did you put POWER aboveYour FAITH?"   

Four Movie Titles You Need to See

 

It's been a while since I last wrote about any movies we have watched lately.   This is going to be short.  With the passing of Chadwick, his movies have become very popular to view.

Three were movies he made before The Black Panther - we had seen one previously, however, we were unaware of him at that time ---- so we re-watched it.  Plus one that starred Michael B Jackson, who portrayed Killmonger in The Black Panther. 

Marshall ---- based on the true story of Thurgood Marshall, Supreme Court Justice.  Trials and tribulations of becoming a lawyer recognized for a landmark decision in Connecticut.👍👍👍👍👍

Get On Up ------ based on the life of Soul singer James Brown. Although most of the singing was that of James Brown, Chadwick did all the dance scenes - amazing!👍👍👍👍👍

42, The Jackie Robinson Story ---- this is the one we had seen before, however, it took on a whole new meaning with the current rise of racism in our country.   Branch Rickie was a very courageous baseball owner to hire Jackie when NO other Major Baseball League owner would hire any person of color!  There is one connection to this movie ----- Pee Wee Reese, when James was a child living in Alabama, the Brooklyn Dodgers went down to play an exhibition game, their bus broke down, and James went up to Pee Wee, and two other Dodgers and got their autographs!  👍👍👍👍👍

And now the Michael B. Jackson movie 

Just Mercy ---- another movie based on a true story. Bryan Stevenson, lawyer from Delaware goes to Alabama to work with prisoners who have not been properly represented at their trials.  Set during a time a turmoil, when blacks still had to use separate water fountains, public rest rooms, etc.  This was an incredibly heart breaking story.  Make sure you watch the entire film, through ALL the credits, as the producers share the bio's of many people throughout the credits.  Up to the very end.👍👍👍👍👍

Chadwick's performances in 42, Get On Up and Marshall were all on different levels, yet each showcased his talent and skill of his profession.  The Movie industry and the World are a less bright place with his untimely passing.

Michael B. Jackson's performance in Just Mercy showcased his acting ability to portray an entirely different, a sympathetic person, than that of Killmonger in The Black Panther.  I will look forward to more of his films.

See you at the Movies, next time!

R.I.P., Sweet Prince

Rest In Peace

 

LET THEM EAT CAKE a new version of Marie's fateful decision

 

Well, the "R's" have finally hit rock bottom, thanks in part to the inability of this man to stand up to Draft Dodger in Chief, a man who could have saved the party, but IS more interested in saving his position in the Senate. He could have been more co-operative with the people on the other side of the aisle, but chose to tie his legacy to the most corrupt President our country has ever had, uses the names of our GREAT LEADERS, Washington, Lincoln,Jefferson, has NOT a ounce of idea what their principles were or what they stood for!

Draft Dodger in Chief has made our ONCE GREAT COUNTRY, the total laughingstock of the world, our former allies no longer can trust anything that is said from the occupant of the White House, LIES are more common coming from his mouth, he has demolished all sense of decency in our country. He is responsible for the deaths of over, as of this writing (8-27-20) 180,000 Americans who have lost their battle to COVID-19! 

So, Mitch, Lindsey, and all the rest of you so called patriots of this once GREAT country, your battle cry of "LET THEM EAT CAKE" has been heard by the many of those who have lost their jobs, lost their loved ones to COVID-19, who may very well lose their homes because YOUR $1,000 suits are more important than feeding the many children in our country.  You have NOT listened to the voices of the people - the ones who keep getting shot in the back!  

Marie lost her head, because she did NOT listen to the people, because she had NO empathy for their needs.  Mitch, it is time that you take the ear muffs off and walk among the people, listen to their needs, their heartbreaks, and show some EMPATHY!

Remember what Thomas Jefferson said  

"  All Tyranny needs to gain a FOOTHOLD is for people of GOOD Conscience to REMAIN SILENT "

So as the saying goes, "NOW IS THE TIME FOR ALL GOOD AMERICANS TO COME TO THE AID OF THEIR COUNTRY " and throw Draft Dodger in Chief out of the WH in NOVEMBER.

Movie nights continue 8-18-20

Well, Covid continues as of this writing,  currently we are putting movie night on hold while the Democratic Convention, such as it is, is being held.  However, here are some of the recent films we have watched, some NOT so good, some just fun, and some really worth while.   Some are one my husband had purchased years ago, some are library item, and as usual in no particular order........   ENJOY!

9 to 5  - Jane, Dolly and Lily were made for each other in this film.  Dabney never had a chance with this trio on hand. 👍👍👍👍👍 

Wild Tales  - a film by Damian Szifron (produced by Pedro and Agustin Almodovar, which usually is a good sign).   I had no idea that these 6 short films would be so disturbing!  This is NOT one that I would recommend to anyone.   👎👎👎👎👎

Rhapsody - an obscure Elizabeth Taylor film.  Elizabeth portrays a spoiled rich girl who falls for a musician who loves music more than her.  Music is really beautiful, some of the scenery is great, but the basic story line is disappointing.👍

Down and Out in Beverly Hills - Bette Midler, Richard Drely Hillsyfuss, Nick Nolte in this silly film about a homeless man (Nick) taken into the home of Bette and Richard, after Nick attempts to drown himself in their pool.  Little Richard appears as their next door neighbor, at this particular time in our nation's history with BLM, it was quite interesting that he would bring forth the fact that (even when this movie was made)  black people were not taken seriously when they called the police, and then we have the transgender child trying to make the statement to unhearing parents.👍👍👍👍

The Holiday -- Cary Grant, Katherine Hepburn once again appear together in a light hearted comedy.  They don't make like this anymore!👍👍👍👍👍

Outrageous Fortune  -- Bette Midler, Shelley Long, 2 aspiring actresses of different talent, attending an acting school and finding that the one thing in common they do have is BOYFRIEND, oh bad things are likely to happen when the gloves come off......👍👍👍👍

For the Boys ---- Bette Midler,  James Caan meet during WWII doing USO type tours for the troops, and continue after the war is over - when a young man comes to Bette's door to escort her to a special evening to honor them, Bette goes down a painful memory lane with the young man, stating pretty powerfully why she doesn't want to be involved in the evening.....  Gosh, she's got a VOICE 👍👍👍👍👍

Punchline ---- Tom Hanks, Sally Field.  Comedy night at the Gas Station brings together these two trying to make it in the entertainment world.  We had never heard of this one, there is some rough language, but that's comedy, we found it very interesting. 👍👍👍👍👍

An American in Paris --- Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron (in her screen debut), well, Gene was always my favorite dancer of this era.  Gene is an aspiring artist in Paris taken under the wing of Nina Foch, but one glance in the direction of Leslie takes Gene's heart.  Music and dance scenes are fantastic.👍👍👍👍👍

Kitchen Stories ---- Swedish/Norwegian film.  Swedish efficiency expert "lives" with a Norwegian farmer to study his culinary habits - they are not to interact or speak with each other.  The farmer is not cooperative, and tries to undermine the study, however, in time both men come to an understanding and form a friendship which compromises the outcome of the study and the "expert's" job.👍👍👍👍👍

Last Chance Harvey ----   Dustin Hoffman, Emma Thompson star in this delightful film.  Dustin is in London to attend his daughter's wedding - however, the relationship is strained due to the fact her parents are divorced and she has been brought up by a step-father who takes ownership of the wedding.  Emma is a survey taker at the airport who gets turned around by Dustin and his offer of friendship.👍👍👍

Volver ----- Penelope Cruz in a GOOD Pedro Almodovar film, albeit one with the possibilities of ghosts, murder and the cover up of the crime.👍👍👍👍

The Wind Will Carry Us ----  Iranian film - a team of film-makers travel to a small remote mountain village to record a local ritual ceremony surrounding an old dying woman.  Now, I am not sure why this is supposed to be such an important event to film, however, it is the theme of the movie.  The scenery is absolutely incredible, what is not so incredible is that our one film-maker does the same thing over and over and over with no end in sight, as the old woman doesn't seem to care to die.   Can't give it thumbs up or down ----- 

MOVIES, MOVIES AND MORE MOVIES 8-1-2020

Well, we have been pretty busy watching movies ---- we skipped one evening, as we had a socially distanced out of doors supper with friends, and by the time we arrived home it was too late to start.   
As usual with the exception of the first one listed, they are in no particular order.

SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER ---- been years since we last watched this one,  however, every summer when the sky is a white hazy hot day, one scene in the film always comes to mind.  Stars Katherine Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift --- set in New Orleans sometime in the 1940's or '50's, so this one is certainly not to be considered politically correct to today's norms.  That being said, the acting is LIGHT years ahead of what comes out of Hollywood these days.  There is NO ONE currently acting who can even come close to Katherine Hepburn and her craft.  It is filmed in GLORIOUS BLACK AND WHITE, and the white hot summer scene would NEVER work in color.  Due to this film, I went on an DVD ordering spree (at the library) with movies starring Katherine, Elizabeth and Montgomery!👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

STATE OF THE UNION  -----  Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracey star in this politically charged film about a businessman who is recruited by a prominent newspaper heiress and owner to run for the highest office in the land----- PRESIDENT OF THE USA! --there are so many moments of what has happened in our country's last election, crazily, the party mentioned in the film is the Republican party, which is portrayed as a sleazy, underhanded party of doing favors under the table to get their candidate elected.  Angela Lansbury stars as the newspaper "mistress" of Spencer Tracy's businessman, who starts out as a man with high morals (except for having a mistress), Katherine stars as the wife putting up with the affair - how ironic that this film mirrors what our current president is, does and was, except I don't think he ever had high morals.  👍👍👍👍👍

THE LAST TIME I SAW PARIS ----- stars Elizabeth Taylor, Van Johnson, Donna Reed and Walter Pidgeon.  Paris has just been liberated and WWII is at an end.   Van Johnson portrays a news reporter with the Stars and Stripes, when he meets and falls head over heels with Elizabeth Taylor's character - eventually the two marry and have a "fairy tale" marriage for several years, until he gives up his dream of writing a novel, after many rejections of previous novels. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

TRAVELS WITH MY AUNT ------ this version is a remake of the original (Katherine Hepburn) starring Maggie Smith, I had hoped to get the original, so I was very disappointed when this one arrived.   As much as I LOVE Maggie Smith, I didn't enjoy this one as I had hoped.  Augusta Bertram is on a wild goose chase, trying to "save" her years ago lover by traveling on the Orient Express to a destination unknown.   👍

THE AFRICAN QUEEN ------ Katherine Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart....   What can I say?  Two fantastic performances by two of the late greats.  What a marvelous "documentary" of many of Africa's "lost" animals and their habitats. 👍👍👍👍👍

DEFENDING YOUR LIFE ----- Not sure how I picked Albert Brooks, what with all the other greats.....  However, Albert and Meryl Streep were perfectly cast as two "folks" who meet in the afterlife, having to defend all the choices they made during their lifetimes - the judges give you a thumbs up, you get to go on (where they don't tell you), if they give you a thumbs down, well you have to go back (not as the same person) and try again, sometimes it takes many "goings back and trying over and over again".  👍👍👍👍👍

DEATH IN PARADISE ----SEASON 8
BBC production of a "funky" mystery series set in Saint-Marie in the Caribbean.  We have been watching this series through the progression of 3 different detective inspectors sent from London to solve the various crimes in Paradise.  My husband really liked the first DI, I have enjoyed all 3 DIs as they have all brought different personalities and crime-solving to the program.  The first actor left as he did not enjoy being separated from his family for the amount of time required to film each episode.  Usually, there are only 3 suspects who have a close connection to the victim.  Each DI had his own way of solving the crime.  In the latest episode, we have been introduced to a new member of the "squad", she is a REAL kick, also the niece of the Island's police inspector!👍👍👍👍👍👍

JULIE & JULIA   -----  based on the book with the same title.   The one thing about the movie is that Language was really cleaned up --- in the book Julie uses the "F" word so frequently, that I felt like I needed to wash out my eyes and ears!  Julie has been working the phone banks after 9/11, and needs a diversion from the stress she faces on a daily basis, and decides to spend 1 year cooking every recipe in Mastering the Art of French Cooking  by Julia Child.   As a backdrop to the film, Meryl Streep gives a superb performance as Julia, while Amy Adams portrays Julie.  Hovering between Julia's life and Julie's life, we go back and forth to Paris after WWII, and NYC after 9/11.  Food scenes bring out the aromas, and tastes of each dish.  👍👍👍👍

BROADCAST NEWS ------  William Hurt, Holly Hunter, Albert Brooks star in this film about professional news journalists, and a Johnny Come Lately.  Bittersweet moments throughout the film, as Albert's character has had a one sided love affair with Holly's character, who naturally falls for William's character ----- it all comes out in the wash.

MISS CONGENIALITY ------  Sandra Bullock portrays an FBI agent from the hard part of NYC, lacking grace and finesse, when it becomes apparent that there is "evil afoot" concerning the outcome of the Miss United States contest ---- and as the ONLY female FBI agent in the field office who could fit the bill as a contestant, Michael Caine's character has his work cut out for him...   Sandra does a really good job going from the "sloppy eating' agent to the graceful Miss New Jersey, although not without a fight!  👍👍👍👍

LOST IN AMERICA ------- another Albert Brooks film.  Albert portrays a "successful" advertising executive, who decides to drop out - with his wife, Julie Hagerty,- when he is not given the promotion he believes that he deserved.   They sell everything and buy a huge motor home and hit the road!  When they hit Reno, they come face to face with the fact that his wife is a compulsive gambler, unbeknownst to either of them previously --- the scene when he tries to convince the casino manager is classic!   Watch the interview with Albert and filmmaker Robert Weide, was really interesting.👍👍👍👍👍

ONE TRUE THING---- Meryl Streep and William Hurt star in this film, William's character is a college professor who is not always lovable to his wife Meryl, especially as she is facing an end of life illness.  Daughter Ellen is facing a crisis of her own in her journalism career, when her father calls her home to care for her mother ---- angst all around.👍👍👍

WORKING GIRL --- Harrison Ford, Sigourney Weaver, Melanie Griffin star in the comedy about moving up in the business world.  Sigoureny's character is a tough minded, hard pushing boss, who falls and breaks her leg while on a skiing trip ---- Melanie takes over the bosses house, clothes and office, puts forth a proposal to Harrison (Sigourney's invesment banker boyfriend, who did NOT go on the skiing trip)!  Let the games begin!👍👍👍

PLACE IN THE SUN-- starring Montgomery Clift, Elizabeth Taylor and Shelley Winters.  Montgomery does not play a "good guy" in this one--- stringing Shelley along, and falling for Elizabeth.  How to end the "affair" with Shelley, who happens to be carrying his child. 
Nothing good can come to anyone in this. 👍👍👍

KITCHEN STORIES  ----- Swedish/Norwegian film, set in a small village, where single men are "observed" for a survey showing how they use their kitchen space.  Slow moving, yet thoughtful look at how we all perceive others, and how we behave when we are being observed.👍👍👍👍👍👍

That's a wrap for this version.